Brantford Council officially approved the City’s 2022 capital budget during their regular meeting on Tuesday, January 25.
The 2022 Budget focuses on initiatives that invest in neighbourhoods and recreation facilities, as well as asset renewal to continue the work required to advance previously approved multi-year projects. Following are the key infrastructure projects that will be completed in 2022.
Investing in the City’s future
In 2022, $1.75 M will be invested to upgrade the transfer station at the City’s landfill and to buy tools, setting the stage to expedite the implementation of a Green Bin program in Brantford – an important initiative supported by Council Priorities. The 2022 capital budget also includes investment to begin the design work to replace the City’s Operational Services facility on Earl Ave. The City’s Operational Services Department maintains over 1,200 lane kilometers of roads and 600 kilometers of sidewalk, including the responsibility for winter control to keep the city moving during extreme weather events. Operational Services also maintains approximately 150 signalized intersections, 10,000 street lights and 30,000 signs throughout the city.
Affordable Housing
In 2022, $2,529,348 will be invested in much needed capital repairs of the City’s existing inventory of affordable housing. New capital development projects previously approved including 177 Colborne St. West in the City of Brantford and Trillium Way in the County of Brant will also be implemented in 2022. With over 1,400 households on the community housing waitlist, whereby new non-senior applicants with no dependents make up 40% of the list, the need for more affordable housing in our community has never been more acute.
Park and Recreation Facility Upgrades
In 2022, the City’s Playground Replacement Program will see renovations to update a series of neighbourhood parks across the city with new modernized equipment, new paved paths, benches, signs and trees. Playground renovations expected to be under construction in 2022 include Recreation Park, Central Park and Hillcrest Park.
Dufferin Park Renovation
Based on the Dufferin Park Master Plan and community engagement the City is excited to share that the new and vastly improved Dufferin Park will be redeveloped in phases. The first phase includes earthworks to allow for construction of six new tennis courts. Future phases will include construction of a washroom, and storage building a new parking area, pedestrian walkways and landscaping. Capital design funding was also approved to facilitate the relocation of the lawn bowling facility to the Walter Gretzky Golf Course. Other amenities will include:
- New tennis courts (6) with lighting and access to shade structures
- Asphalt multi-use / basketball court
- New junior and senior play area and shade structure
- Central Plaza building that will be bookable for events and includes an area with storage and washrooms
- New parking lot with accessible spaces and drop-off area
- Asphalt paved trails
Other Notable 2022 Construction Projects
- Woodman Park Community Centre pool and facility rehabilitation will begin construction in the summer
- Braneida Storm Water Management Pond (SWMP) construction expected completion in September 2022
- Full reconstruction of St Paul Avenue Phase 2 (Terrace Hill Street – Brant Avenue) expected completion in November 2022
- Colborne Slope Stabilization Phase 1 that includes slope drainage improvements/diversion, tie-backs to reduce further slope movement and continued monitoring will be in design phase in 2022 with construction following in 2023
- The deck on the TH&B pedestrian crossing bridge over the Grand River will be replaced in Fall 2022
- To improve the user experience and in response to resident feedback, the Lorne Bridge Trail will also be realigned in 2022
- Utility relocation on Ava Bridge will get underway in the Fall followed by the bridge rehabilitation
- Colborne Street West Sound Wall installation
- D’Aubigny Trail resurfacing (forested trail section)
- Bus shelters and bus pads at various locations throughout the City
- Jubilee Terrace path upgrades
- Waterworks Park Parking Lot improvements
- Wayne Gretzky Pedestrian Bridge deck improvement
- Steve Brown Sports Complex lighting upgrades
Increasing Service Capacity of Water and Wastewater Infrastructure
Over $10 million has been dedicated to improving the City’s capacity to provide water and wastewater services including the launch of the Advanced Water Metering Infrastructure project, as well as upgrades to the Empey Sanitary pumping station, implementation of a new elevated water storage facility to service the northern part of the city and watermain on King George Road.
In late 2022, Brantford Fire also expects to take delivery of a new rescue vehicle that was approved as part of the 2021 capital budget process.
The Estimates Committee will resume on Wednesday February 2, 2022 to continue deliberations regarding the City’s 2022 operating budget. For more information, please visit brantford.ca/CityBudget.
